My son's name is Christian. I am not allowing it to be shortened at all. If I wanted to name him "Chris" I would have named him Christopher. I want his name to be "Christian". As another comment said, it is very soft (great for a baby/child) but can be very masculine as well (for as he is growing up). One of the main characters of NIP/TUCK is named Christian and I love it for a man.

The term "Christ" means "anointed one." It comes from the Greek word "Christos." The name does indeed outdate Christianity. Contrary to popular belief, many themes of Christianity were stolen from previous belief systems. The word "Christian" did not even come into English use until 1526.

-- Anonymous User 1/22/2006

I like this name but only as a krees-TYAWN. English pronunciation has destroyed this name. :(

This name has such a nice sound to it and it is very masculine, strong sounding yet gentle too.

-- Anonymous User 5/2/2006

I don't like the idea of naming children after a religion. Think of a child named 'Confucian', though technically, that is more of a philosophy than a religion; but you get my point. Besides, what if he decides to convert?

I have a son named Christian and he loves his name. Christian is not a religion in it self, it's a basic belief in God for all religions. And for the Gentleman who thinks that kids will someday convert their religion is crazy. As long as you instill the name of the lord in them, they will always be a follower. Whether he is Catholic, Lutheran, or Protestant, he will always be Christian.

-- Anonymous User 7/21/2006

To the above user who said once his name was Christian he would never convert is just ... urgh! Christian does not mean belief for any religion. Christianity and Islam spring from Judaism, and since I wanted to get a wide view of the world I have studied all 6 major world religions and I find them all similar, and therefore am not religous at all. I respect all religions and firmly believe that someone's name does not determine who they are, and Christian could one day convert. Christianity is not the only religion out there.

-- Anonymous User 1/22/2007

That's a really ridiculous statement, and even my own personal experience shows otherwise---I know a guy named Christian who is definitely not one. And being a Christian does not mean believing in any God, it literally means a follower of Christ, who is one particular God.

-- Anonymous User 5/27/2007

Christian Bale - the Welsh actor who plays Batman in the latest Batman film. Also starred in "New World", "Empire of the Sun", "Little Women" and "The Machinist".

Though I cannot claim to speak for the maker of this site, I'd like to point out that the meaning of the name Christian comes from one who is a Christian. That term may come from the name Christ, but it's not the etymology of the name, which is what this site is about.

This is my husband's name. He hated it in school because teachers and other people would call him Kristin. It would make him so mad that people would not know how to pronounce his name. It is a religon. What is so hard about that?

This name is kind of strange. After all, you don't name your child Muslim or Buddhist.

-- Anonymous User 9/21/2006

Maybe, but it's been used as a name since the middle ages and maybe other religions, in their languages, had names that blatant at one point, perhaps. Not to mention there are millions of Muslims named after Muhammad, which is the most common name in the world now, and every culture has a way of invoking their religion into their names.

My cousin's name is Christian. She is a girl. I know a few boys with that name, and I like it better on boys. In German, Christian doesn't mean "christian" (well, not literally, like in English). It is pronouced "KRIS-tee-ahn".

In my family Christian is used very frequently, although as a feminine name. My great-grandmother's name was Ivy Christian, my aunt and my cousin bear Christian as a middle name. My second cousin's name is Ivy Christian, but she changed it legally when she was 18 to Christine Ivy.

I hate, hate, hate the name Christian. Why would people want to name their children after a religion that promotes cruel behavior toward people who are not Christians? But again I hate names such as Grace, Faith, Hope, Joy, and Mercy.

You're thinking of Christian fanatics who pervert the religion to persecute others. That's like judging all Islamics by the Islamic Extremists ie Taliban, etc. It's not accurate and also racist (for lack of a word that is equal to racism when applied to religion).

I have to agree with Tori on this one, I'm not Christian but a comment like that is just like saying "all white people owned slaves" it is totally untrue and out-of-bounds. At the same time though I can agree that almost every branch of christianity have had their hands dirty at one time or another.

-- Anonymous User 7/15/2007

It doesn't mean that it makes Christian a better name. I also think it's terrible to give a person a name that is pretty much a title. Would you name your kid Democrat, Pro-Lifer, Madonna-Wannabe, Lesbian, Brad-Pitt-Hater, or something like that? Even the name itself is a crappy name in my opinion.

One of the youngest members of the Danish Royal Family, the first born of the crown prince couple, is named Christian (full name: HRH Christian Valdemar Henri John). He is to become the 11th King Christian of Denmark.

I love the name Christian for a boy. It will only be a boys name to me forever. I think Christina is more for a girl and Christian is for a boy. And for those of you who don't like the name Christian due to it being a religion, well who cares? That is my religion so it only makes sense to name my son that don't ya think? Anyways, if he doesn't want to be a Christian religiously he can go by Chris, can't he? But I think it is the religion that makes this name even better. I understand that Christian is older then Christ and that is why the name was bestowed upon him because of the "Anointed One". Because his name really was just Jesus of Nazareth, until they discovered he was the anointed one, then he became Jesus Christ. See the name really outdates the religion. So the name is quite older then most people know. What a precious name. I can see why it gained such popularity. But that is great, that shows that more people like the name then don't like the name. So I guess there are more people on my side who love the name Christian. And for those of you who don't well I am sorry but there are less people on your side. Sorry statistics agree with me.

-- Anonymous User 9/5/2007

I have named my son Krystian, and even though it's spelt the Polish way I love it! So far everyone who has heard his name loves it too, and can't believe how different it is compared to the more popular names lately. All I have to say is, those who say English pronuncication has ruined the name by saying Kris-chan, well, I don't pronounce my son's name that way, and I'm English! I always make sure people pronounce it Krys-ti-an, and I get very cross if people don't, and always make sure they are corrected. I don't shorten it either. Make the most of every syllable. I love it love it love it!

-- Anonymous User 9/20/2007

I like the sound of this name but I would never use it for my son because I feel that to do so would be tantamount to announcing to the world that I am a Christian, when in fact I am not. The same goes for the name Faith, which I also happen to like. But impossible to use for an agnostic!

I love this name! And to all those who say it’s horrible and only religious fanatics used it I strongly disagree. I am writing a romance, the hero is named Christian and I would consider this for a child.

My husband's name is Christian and I really like the name. Some people have said that it could be a girl's name but I think it's hard for it to sound feminine once you know a man with the name. Oh yeah and Jane's brother in Eastenders is called Christian.

This name sounds quite normal and dull in Europe and is overused in European countries. In English-speaking countries, especially in America, this name sounds a bit weird, and a bit too much like a blatant statement that goes a little smething like this: ''We are Christians, my son will be a good Christian, and we want the world to know it! Take that, you secularists, atheists, gays, and lesbians! We're proud, and won't be brough down!'', like they believe people are actually persecuting them. I would be a little suspicious of people who pick this name, as that is the assumption that comes to mind with American people.

In the encyclopedia of names Christian means "follower or lover of Christ." Now, it should not matter to non-Christians if this is true or not. If you like the name, that's great, it can just be a name!

I really hate this name. This has to be on my names blacklist. It's just plain idiotic and uncreative! If I were forced to use this name (and there would have to be a lot of force involved), I would use it as a feminine name before a masculine one.

This name is not strictly masculine. It has been used on girls at least as far back as the 1500s. Back then it was very common for girls and hardly used for boys.

I think this name is better suited as a girls name. I always thought it sounded rather feminine.

-- Anonymous User 12/28/2008

Christian and the feminine version Christianna are among my favourites. I kinda dislike Christian though because of the word Christian. It is a very wonderful name, but I still wouldn't use it because of the word.

-- Anonymous User 1/2/2009

Christian "Chris" Pohl is a major player in the German alternative music scene, owner of Fearsection, a record company and mastermind of the bands: Blutengel, Terminal Choice, Tumor, Miss Construction, & Seelenkrank.

I like this name for a boy. It's strong and masculine yet soft and gentle. And just because your name is Christian doesn't mean you have to be one. That's like saying if someone's name is Joy that means they are happy all the time. That is totally not true.

Christian (Hejnal) Addams, lead guitarist and backup singer of the indie-experimental band Scarling. He and his wife, Jessicka (Fodera), took the last name Addams after marrying in honor of the Addams family.

I know a boy called Christian, but he changed it to Kristian because he got teased and people immediately got the wrong impression of him. Neither he nor his family are religious and they just like the sound of the name. I think it has a nice ring to it (they pronounce it KRIS-tyan).

Christian is my last name. People pronounce it different all the time. It's really (chrish-chen) like in the bible, but there's some people who pronounce it as (christy-anne). It's been happening for so many years that I don't even bother correcting people anymore. Say it how they want.

-- Anonymous User 6/10/2009

It is a lovely name for a girl more than it is a boy. I would rather prefer the name Christian (spelled the same way) as a girl name, however.

Actually the name Christ was given to Jesus by followers who believed he was the Messiah (which he is!) and Christ means Messiah. The name Christian developed along when Christianity became the top religion in Europe.

Come on. It's not the same as naming your kid 'Jew' or something, because Christian is long established as a name. The thing is, every name originally meant literally what it means! Christian just happens to STILL coincide with the English word of the same meaning. It's really no different than naming your child John or James in that sense. Once you go back, it meant something literally in some language. So it's no different than any other name meaning. Now, whether you want that to be your meaning is another matter, but most people seem to disregard meaning in favour of sound these days.

I don't get all of the hate for this name. I'm a Christian, and I believe in God, so I don't find anything wrong with this name. It's an old, well-established name, not some modern garbage. Christian may be too common in itself, but I like it way better than the grossly overused Christopher.

If you're Christian, please don't name your kid this! They might decide to switch religions and you'll have stranded them with a name that will confuse their Sikh or Hindu or whatever friends. Anyway, it's a little cruel to literally force-feed a child your religion. Let them decide! It is in the Human Rights Act that a child is allowed to chose and practice their religion as long as it doesn't affect anyone else.However, considering I follow Buddhist beliefs (There are no gods or deities to worship, Buddha is a teacher, and I won't eat or harm anything with a face) maybe I don't understand. But still, think about it.

-- Anonymous User 5/5/2010

Why is naming a child 'Christian' more accepted than naming a child "Jew"? The latter is a much more vague sound and sounds similar to as many real names as the former. Both are subjective titles; that doesn't change just because Christian has been used longer.

My son is named Christian in honor of the first Dolloff to come to the Americas in the 17th century. It has proven an excellent choice as the short version Chris is easy to use and pronounce without being so common that it overlaps with others with the same first name, although he is not infrequently mislabeled Christopher (he does not seem to mind).

I like this name a lot "even though" I'm a complete atheist. I think most people like (or dislike) the sound of names and don't think too much, if anything, about what they "really" mean. For example, how many people who name their sons "Calvin" think about the fact that it comes from a root meaning "bald."

-- Anonymous User 4/5/2011

I like this name for a boy, even though I am an atheist, so I'd probably never use it.

Also, I think naming a girl Christian is a bad idea, it doesn't sound like a girl name at all and the meaning is gender neutral.

What if s/he converts? That'd call for a change of name. You can't ignore the fact that it's the name of a religion, even if you try. I'm an atheist who believes in religious freedom, so I think it's kind of cruel if you name a kid this with the hopes that s/he'll believe in God. I think it has a nice sound to it, though.

-- Anonymous User 8/6/2011

I love the name Christian yet I am not very religious. I think it's an acceptable name no matter what religion or lack of one.

My opinion of the name is weird in that although I feel the name is masculine, I'd prefer it on a girl. It is just an English word, and English words don't have genders. Christian Faith would be a funny girl's name (like The Christian Faith).

I'm in love with a man who's name is Christian and have since fallen in love with his name, too. This is my favourite male name. It is for a beautiful, handsome, gracious yet masculine gentleman who is sure of himself. Christian is both soft and strong while still being masculine. I personally don't relate it to religion at all but I can understand how some might.

-- Anonymous User 9/7/2012

Naming your child Christian just seems to me like tacking a label on them before they even get a chance to develop personal beliefs. You wouldn't name your kid Republican or Atheist, would you?

Its an ok name, but the more you think about it the weirder it is that we use a religion as a name. I just think maybe its best not to use the name, in case he ends up following a religion other than Christianity.

-- Anonymous User 5/29/2013

I've never heard the name Christian as a girls name in Germany! Not in 30 years! Girls are usually called Christine, Christina, Christiane and Christin but not the male form Christian. Apart from that, I don't like this name, it doesn't sound nice to my ears. In my opinion, the most biblical names don't sound nice. And I also think it's odd to name a child after someone who follows a religion. In the end, if the name bearer decides to become member of a different religion or an atheist, he won't be too happy with this name!

To me, it always seemed that parents who name a son Christian are trying too hard to prove to the world (or to themselves?) that they're Christians. It's just not a very subtle name, and of course it's awkward if the child grows up to practice a non-Christian religion such as Judaism, Buddhism, Islam, etc. It also seems a bit funny when you consider that Jewish parents would never name their son Jew, Buddhist parents would never name their son Buddhist, and so on. Choosing this name just seems like a holier-than-thou ploy on the part of the parents at their child's expense, and it implies that they don't want their son to think for himself and possibly (horrors!) choose to follow a different religion or no religion.

-- Anonymous User 11/11/2014

The name CHRISTIAN is an anagram of TRICHINAS, which are parasitic worms often found in uncooked pork. When trichinas infect humans, they cause the disease trichinosis, whose symptoms are abdominal pains, fatigue, fever, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

-- Anonymous User 11/11/2014

Christian Kane is an American actor who starred in the TV series "Leverage" and had a recurring role in the TV series "Angel."

-- Anonymous User 11/11/2014

"King Christian stood by the lofty mast" is the national anthem of Denmark. It refers to King Christian IV, the Danish king with the longest reign.

I am a 27 year old female named Christian. I hated my name as a child. They always made me go by Chrissy when a boy had the same name in my class and I was always second guessed on my name. As an older teenager, I grew to love my name. I will always receive lame comments when I give my name such as "are you a Christian" or " hi I'm jewish." I realize people are generic in small talk. I love my name and I have no religion in my heart despite being raised Christian. When asked why she named me a boys name, my mother, who has 8 kids simply said "Oh, I never thought of it as a boy's name." All I could say was "Fair enough." I am elated every time I meet a girl named Christian because it has only happened twice. They are just as joyous when meeting me. We share every corny joke. I like my common, yet distinct name. It's simple. Yet, people are surprised. I love masculine names on a female.